Trip Notes for October 5-7: Shadwell Turf Mile, Champagne, and more

Oct. 5

Keeneland
Phoenix (race 8)

COMMENT: Main track was listed as ‘Fast’ despite significant overnight rains. Pace picture changed significantly when Southern California speedball Distinctive B did not ship for the race and was scratched. On paper that left the lead at the mercy of fast 3-year-old Promises Fulfilled on the rail and that’s the way it played out early as ‘Fulfilled, winner of Saratoga’s Grade 1 H. Allen Jerkens on Aug. 25, went right to the lead, was soon joined by Heartwood to his outside, dueled with that foe to the top of the lane, was finally getting the better of him only to have Whitmore surge up to his outside with tough sprinter Limousine Liberal right on his heels, but kept on gamely to rebuff Whitmore and stamp himself a player for the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint. That said, he could opt for the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile. While this was a ‘Win and You’re In’ race for the Sprint, he has to be supplemented ($100,000) regardless of which race he targets. Whitmore, coming off a smart win in the Grade 1 Forego at Saratoga Aug. 25, was reluctant to load but finally got in, broke well to sit a couple lengths off the pace while saving ground, remained there to the far turn, swung off the inside for clear sailing, came with a strong run, brushed with a tiring Heartwood to his inside but kept coming, looking as if he might blow on by and go on to victory, but couldn’t quite get to the stubborn 3-year-old. Limousine Liberal was quite unlucky. Third in the aforementioned Forego, he sat last in the small field, though only a couple lengths off the lead while staying a few lanes off the rail, remained last to the far turn, moved to the inside to make his run, loomed a threat just behind the two leaders while on the rail, found his path blocked, came off the inside and tried to go between Promises Fulfilled and Whitmore only to see that hole close, moved back down to the rail for clear sailing, made a run, but by then it was too late. Whitmore and Limousine Liberal are both reportedly heading for the Breeders’ Cup Sprint.

Keeneland
Alcibiades (race 9)

COMMENT: A handy win by Restless Rider, her third in four starts, sends her to the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies as one of the favorites as the $150,000 daughter of Distorted Humor had little trouble putting away her rivals here. Coming off her first loss, a decent second in the Grade 1 Spinaway at Saratoga on Sept. 1 and routing for the first time, she broke well, showed the speed stalk as Meadow Dance set a solid pace, remained inside going down the backstretch, came off the inside going to the far turn, moved up easily to challenge Meadow Dance, took over from that rival with little trouble, opened up into the lane and cruised home. This was very nice and she’s a Breeders’ Cup contender, to be sure, though Bellafina, Serengeti Empress, Sippican Harbor and a few others figure a lot tougher than what she faced here. Reflect, sixth in the aforementioned Spinaway, bided her time early while saving ground, advanced going to the far turn while inside, came off the inside for clear sailing while just behind the eventual winner, couldn’t keep pace with her but kept on decently, though she was never a threat to the winner. Meadow Dance, third to Into Trouble in the Arlington/Washington Lassie at Arlington on Sept. 8, went right to the lead, set a solid pace under modest pressure from Lady T N T while staying inside, tried to stay with the winner when that gal came up to her on the turn and into the lane, proved no match for her or the runner-up but kept on decently to hold third. Boujie Girl, third to division leader Bellafina in the Grade 2 Sorrento at Del Mar on Aug. 5 and in the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante there Sept. 2, didn’t exactly flatter the West Coast form as she was away slowly, remained well back going down the backstretch, started to advance and passed a number of rivals but was never really a factor. Into Trouble was away slowly, lagged back and never made a move in a disappointing run. Catherinethegreat, a disappointing ninth in the Spinaway, was disappointing again as with blinkers on she showed enough speed to stalk the pace, seemed in a great spot as she was still in contention going to the far turn but then gave way.

Oct. 6

Belmont
Beldame (race 8)

COMMENT: Wow Cat, an unbeaten champion in her native Chile in 2017, came here much ballyhooed but lost her first two U.S. starts. She didn’t run badly in either but didn’t get the pulse racing, either. She lived up to expectations here with an easy victory in a Grade 1, maybe earning a shot at the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Distaff. The daughter of multiple-champion Lookin At Lucky sat fourth as Farrell set a solid pace, moved up easily on the far turn to challenge then-leader Come Dancing, had little trouble getting the better of that rival and drew off in the lane. This wasn’t the strongest renewal by any means but she ran well and the Distaff could be appealing for her, particularly with heavyweight Abel Tasman a bit of a question mark coming off a dull run and possible illness, and other heavyweights Elate already declared out of the Breeders’ Cup and Unique Bella retired. Divine Miss Gray, romping winner of a stakes in slop at Parx on Sept. 8, stalked basically alongside the eventual winner while bottled up behind the leaders, came out for room turning for home, doggedly went after the eventual winner, proved no match but kept on to hold second. The Distaff isn’t likely in her plans, as trainer Danny Gargan said she might more likely target the Grade 3 Go for Wand at Aqueduct on Dec. 1 instead. Verve’s Tale, a game third in the Grade 3 Shuvee at Saratoga when beaten a neck by today’s foe Farrell (and just a head behind Wow Cat in second), swung wide into the lane and finished decently though she was never a threat to the winner. Farrell, game winner of some of these in the Shuvee but then a well-beaten fifth in the Grade 1 Personal Ensign at Saratoga on Aug. 25, went right to the lead, took some pressure from Come Dancing while setting a solid pace along the inside, proved no match when the winner and Come Dancing came to her turning for home and gave way. While she’s won at this 1 1/8-mile trip, it doesn’t seem her best game and trainer Wayne Catalano already mentioned possibly cutting back to the 7-furlong Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint, which may play better for her.

Belmont
Hill Prince (race 9)

COMMENT: Inner turf course listed as ‘Good’. Ride the Comet, 3-1 second choice on the morning line, scratched. Have At It was no match for heavy favorite Raging Bull in a couple previous meetings. However, the son of grass champion Kitten’s Joy continued to improve as after a sharp second in a stakes at Saratoga on Aug. 27 he got his first graded stakes win here. From his rail slot he broke well to stalk as Sand Dancer moved out to a big early lead, bided his time as Sand Dancer remained clear, steadily advanced to the far turn, doggedly went after that rival in the lane, reeled him in late and edged clear. Sand Dancer went right to the lead, moved out to a big advantage going into the backstretch, remained with a big lead going into the far turn, saw the field close the gap but was still clear by midstretch and was then unable to fend off the winner while gamely holding second. Prioritize lagged back, came with a decent run in the lane to nearly get second. Raging Bull, the heavy favorite after four wins in his first five starts, the last two being a Grade 2 and Grade 3, bided his time early, moved a few lanes off the rail for clear sailing, was asked for run on the far turn but the run never came in a puzzling outing.

Belmont
Champagne (race 10)

COMMENT: Complexity, a $375,000 son of Maclean’s Music, ran them off their feet when an easy winner of his sprint debut at Saratoga on Sept. 3. It was a different distance and tougher company, but the same tactics produced the same result as this colt now likely goes to the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile as the one to catch. He popped out of the gate to assume a clear lead, set a strong pace while seemingly quite comfortable, extended his advantage some on the far turn with his rider looking back for any threats, opened farther into the lane and kept on well to keep his rivals at bay in the final fur-long. Code of Honor, impressive debut winner at Saratoga on Aug. 18, did well to finish second as he stumbled badly at the start to get away poorly to be far back at the start, remained there going down the backstretch, started to advance while inside going into the far turn, continued to advance on the turn, came off the inside, swung out turning for home to continue his run and finished well to get second, though he was never really a danger to the winner. He’s also reportedly heading to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. Call Paul, winner of his first two starts including the Grade 2 Saratoga Special on Aug. 12, stalked the pace while a few lanes off the fence, was asked for run to go after the eventual winner on the far turn, was unable to do so but kept on decently to just hold third. Aurelius Maximus, smashing winner at this trip in slop here Sept. 9, was away slowly, racing with Code of Honor at the back of the pack, pitched wide on the turn and into the lane and finished decently, behind Code of Honor, just failing to get third. He reportedly will not go on to Churchill. Endorsed, smart winner of his debut at Saratoga on Aug. 18, stalked the pace while saving ground, remained there to the far turn, was pushed along to try and go after the eventual winner in the lane, was unable to do so and then tired in the final furlong.

Keeneland
Woodford (race 6)

COMMENT: Holding Gold, the tepid 4-1 favorite on the morning line, scratched. Bucchero, the 3-1 favorite and defending champ (won at 26-1 last year) notched his first win of the year, a run which likely sends him into next month’s Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, a race in which he was a good fourth last year. Coming off a troubled fifth in the Grade 3 Turf Monster at Parx on Sept. 3 (after a very respectable fifth in the Group 1 in England on June 19 when facing some of Europe’s best), he broke well from his inside slot to get a nice trip sitting a few lengths off a strong pace set by Rocket Heat, remained in fourth while staying inside to the far turn, suddenly came off the rail on the midpoint on the turn looking for clear sailing to start his run, finished doggedly to reel-in Rocket Heat by midstretch, outfinished a stubborn Extravagant Kid to his inside and got to the line before a hard-charging Will Call to his outside. Will Call, bouncing back nicely after a dull seventh as the favorite in a turf sprint stakes at Ellis Park on Aug. 5, lagged back from the start, commenced with a wide run on the far turn into the lane and finished strongly to the winner’s outside but just ran out of ground. Extravagant Kid, coming off a stakes win at Saratoga, stalked while sitting just ahead and to the outside of the eventual winner, didn’t accelerate quite as quickly as that foe on the far turn, suddenly found himself inside Bucchero when making a run in the lane, finished well but just wasn’t quite good enough. Angaston, coming off a stakes win at Kentucky Downs, sat midpack, just behind the eventual winner to his outside, came with a smart run between horses but just wasn’t quite good enough. Undrafted, a sharp rallying fourth in the Grade 3 Kentucky Cup Turf Sprint at Kentucky Downs on Sept. 8, was slow into stride, lagging well back from the start, was last on the far turn while very wide, remained last and wide into the lane and could make only modest headway to pass a few rivals without being a factor.

Keeneland
Thoroughbred Club of America (race 7)

COMMENT: Golden Mischief continued her ascent as the daughter of Into Mischief powered home between horses to get her first graded stakes win. Stepping up off romping stakes wins at Prairie Meadows and Mountaineer Park earlier this summer, she broke alertly, was content to take back just a bit as Vertical Oaks set a solid, pressured pace, got a nice trip sitting just off the speed while between horses, came with a smart run between horses to grab the lead in deep stretch and just outfinished a stubborn Chalon to her outside. She did have to survive a claim of foul from third-place finisher Vertical Oak. She did come out some in the stretch into Vertical Oak’s path but ‘Oak was already beaten. This may earn her a trip to the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint. Chalon, second in this last year and freshened since an easy win in a stakes at Monmouth on June 17, showed good speed to press the pace in third to the outside, swung wider into the lane to go after the leaders, kept to her task doggedly but just couldn’t quite outfinish the winner. Vertical Oak broke sharply, proved quickest as she got to the lead but was immediately hounded by Happy Like a Fool and Chalon, battled back gamely in the lane while drifting out a few lanes, got passed to her inside by the eventual winner and to her outside by Chalon, had to steady when the winner came out a bit into her patch but was already a beaten filly when that happened. Miss Sunset, the favorite off a stakes win at Del Mar on Sept. 3 and who shipped here a year ago to win the Grade 2 Raven Run and was a sharp second (beaten a nose) in the Grade 1 Madison here in April, stalked while holding the fence, remained there to the top of the lane, kept to her task while staying inside but just couldn’t quite finish with the top trio. Happy Like a Fool, making her first start since a romping win in the Grade 3 Ms. Preakness at Pimlico on May 18, showed good speed to dog pacesetter Vertical Oak from the start while just to her outside, kept after that foe into the lane, was part of phalanx of horses across the track in midstretch but couldn’t quite keep up in the final furlong.

Keeneland
First Lady (race 8)

COMMENT: A Raving Beauty was a bit disappointing when fourth in the Grade 2 Ballston Spa at Saratoga but she showed more speed here and got back on track with a game victory. From her inside slot she went right to the lead while holding the fence, took immediate pressure from Valadorna with stablemate Quidura just behind to the outside, held a narrow lead over Valadorna to the far turn, spurted clear into the lane, looked gone by midstretch but then had to battle gamely to the line to fend off hard-charging Dona Bruja. There really isn’t a Breeders’ Cup race for her so maybe something like the Grade 1 Matriarch at Del Mar later in the fall will be on her radar, though trainer Chad Brown said it’s possible she won’t run again as she’s to be in the November Fasig-Tipton Sale Nov. 4. Dona Bruja was even more of a disappointment last time out, finishing a dull ninth in the Grade 1 Beverly D. but she, too, bounced back in a big way. She stalked while horses a couple lengths off the lead, remained there to the top of the lane, didn’t appear to be going anywhere while still in traffic but found her best stride in midstretch and finished resolutely outside the winner to just miss. As with the winner there really isn’t a Breeders’ Cup race for her and the Matriarch is reportedly on her radar. Indian Blessing, third in her U.S. debut in the aforementioned Ballston Spa, lagged back from the start, was in fact last on the turn and into the lane, swung wide in the stretch and put in a solid rally to widest of all in the lane to just get up for third, though she was never a danger to the top two. Crown Walk, a scary European invader who came into this off a good second in the French Group 1, stalked the pace, loomed a threat inside into the lane but couldn’t finish with the top two and just got edged for third in the final stride. Insta Erma was basically eliminated at the start as she went to her knees nearly losing her rider to get away last, tried to get into the race going to the far turn while staying inside, came off inside turning for home, kept to her task to pass a couple but simply was left with too much to do after the disastrous start. Quidura, winner of the aforementioned Ballston Spa, sat third off stablemate A Raving Beauty from the start while to the outside, moved closer on the far turn while still wide as if poised to make a run, was still in the hunt by midstretch but then flattened out. Off Limits, fifth in the Ballston Spa, sat back, as is her custom, just behind stablemate Quidura while wide, remained wide on the turn when asked for run but came up empty, she actually lost position. After a super 2017 when she won five of six, she’s now zero for five this year with just one third so she hasn’t been the same girl.

Keeneland
Breeders’ Futurity (race 9)

COMMENT: Mind Control, winner of Saratoga’s Grade 1 Hopeful and the 7-2 morning-line favorite here, scratched (fever). He’ll reportedly return to his Monmouth base and train up to the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. The absence of the morning-line favorite, a brutal start that eliminated the post-time favorite and a front-running trip added up to a huge upset as Knicks Go posted the 70-1 win and punched his ticket for the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. After a big maiden win at Ellis Park on July 4 he was no factor when fifth in the Grade 3 Sanford at Saratoga on July 21 and then a non-threatening third in the Arlington/Washington Futurity on Arlington Polytrack on Sept. 8. He returned to his home base here and that, plus the move to the route (he’s a son of Grade 1 route winner Paynter) added up to a romping win. He went right to the lead in the bulky field, was able to set modest splits while taking some pressure from Sombeyay, continued to lead unbothered for the most part, saw the field creep closer going into the far turn but kicked away again and blew clear to win in a romp. Signalman, facing winners for the first time and routing for the first time after a game maiden win at Saratoga on Sept. 1, sat midpack early, moved closer going down the backstretch, was in tight going into the far turn, but got going again and finished decently for second, though the winner was already long gone. Standard Deviation, a $450,000 son of Curlin who had the worst of the draw (post 13), was slow into stride while very wide into the first turn, remained well back and wide, accelerated nicely going into the far turn, sustained his run while very wide and while no threat to the winner kept on in promising fashion. Had he not had such a miserable post he surely would have finished closer to the winner. The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile is reportedly next. Dream Maker, the favorite off an impressive debut win at Churchill on June 7 and then a decent fifth in the Grade 1 Hopeful at Saratoga on Sept. 3, got pinched back severely at the start to break well behind the field, basically eliminating him. He was then rank and raced greenly on the first turn and into the backstretch, was asked for run going to the far turn, made a bit of progress while wide but came up empty thereafter. He reportedly came out of the race with a cut to the back of a front hoof as he grabbed a quarter and ripped off a shoe when steadied so sharply, and the Breeders’ Cup plans have been scrapped. Trainer Mark Casse said he wouldn’t miss significant training time and would point to 2019.

Keeneland
Shadwell Turf Mile (race 10)

COMMENT: Divisidero was scratched at the gate as, after loading, he acted up and got one of his legs caught over the back gate. The start was then delayed a bit when Bound for Nowhere on the far outside was reluctant to load. Despite all that, the horse who was in the gate the longest, Next Shares in post No. 1, was a demonstrative winner and earned a shot at the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Mile. Coming off a smart win at Kentucky Downs vs. much lesser he’d shown ample big ability before out West with a couple Grade 1 placings. But he ran the race of his life here as he sat midpack while a bit off the rail as Heart to Heart and Voodoo Song pressed each other on the lead through brisk splits, steadily advanced while moving back to the inside, burst through an opening into the lane and shot clear to win hands-down. Great Wide Open, second in the Tourist Mile at Kentucky Downs on Sept. 1, stalked the pace, loomed a threat turning for home and into the lane, was no match for the big winner but stayed on well for second. Qurbaan, winner of his only start in the U.S., the Grade 2 Bernard Baruch at Saratoga on Sept. 3, lagged well back while wide, started to advance going to the far turn, pitched wider still and finished decently, though he was no danger to the top two. Analyze It, the lone 3-year-old in the field, bided his time a few lengths off the pace, moved out for room going into the far turn, came wide into the lane with some momentum to loom ominously by midstretch but couldn’t sustain his run. Almanaar, second in the Grade 1 Arlington Million, seemed in a good spot midpack while a few lanes off the fence, followed stablemate Analyze It going into the far turn but soon came under a ride and was unable to make a dent. Heart to Heart set a solid pace under constant pressure from Voodoo Song, continued to be hounded by that foe into the lane and gave way once headed. Bound for Nowhere, previously unbeaten in five starts in the U.S. and coming off a win over a few of these in the Tourist Mile at Kentucky Downs on Sept. 1, was very reluctant to load but finally got in, broke well, showing the speed to get up into a stalking position and avoid getting hung out to dry from his brutal post (No. 14), stalked pacesetters Heart to Heart and Voodoo Song while toward the outside, loomed a threat turning for home but then fell apart.

Santa Anita
Santa Anita Sprint Championship (race 5)

COMMENT: Roy H set himself up for a defense of his Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint title as he successfully defended his crown in this race. Last year’s sprint champion, favored off a second to rival Ransom the Moon in the Grade 1 Bing Crosby at Del Mar July 28, stalked in third as Distinctive B went right to the lead and took pressure from Horse Greedy, moved closer going to the far turn while toward the outside, had little trouble wresting command from the pacesetter, opened up into the lane and didn’t have a nervous moment thereafter. Distinctive B, a smashing optional-claiming winner at Del Mar on Aug. 26, his first start in almost eight months, and who scratched from Keeneland’s Grade 2 Phoenix Friday to stay home and compete here instead, was a bit fractious in the gate but once settled broke well, used his speed as expected as he went right to the lead, was quickly joined by Horse Greedy to his outside, soon saw Roy H join the fray as Horse Greedy relented, was unable to keep pace with the eventual winner but kept on decently to hold second. Ransom the Moon, smashing winner of the Bing Crosby where he easily beat Roy H back into second, was slow into stride, as is his wont, to be last early, was still last on the far turn, pitched wide to make his run and finished decently but was never a threat to his rival. The Breeders’ Cup Sprint figures on his docket again. He was fifth in that last year. Edwards Going Left was away a bit slowly, sat fourth while inside and was unable to make an impression. He’s a nice horse to be sure but it seems this deepest end of the pool is just a bit too much.

Santa Anita
City of Hope Mile (race 9)

COMMENT: Sharp Samurai finished third, just behind rival Fly to Mars, in the Grade 2 Del Mar Mile Handicap on Aug. 19 but was interfered with by that rival and the stewards placed him second ahead of Fly to Mars. These two again came to the line together but this time Sharp Samurai beat him on the square, making it five wins in six starts on this course and maybe earning a shot at the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Mile at Churchill next month. The son of First Samurai stalked in fourth as the filly Psycho Sister set a fast pace under some pressure from Fly to Mars, moved closer turning for home to challenge then-leader Fly to Mars, battled with that rival while to his outside the rest of the way, just prevailing by a nose despite his rider losing the whip around the eighth pole. Fly to Mars ran well again as the son of Ministers Wild Cat made it four straight strong efforts and may, too, have earned a trip to Churchill. He did everything right, dogging early pacesetter Psycho Sister, took over from that rival turning for home only to be immediately challenged by Sharp Samurai to his outside, battled back gamely every step of the way while on the fence only to come up just a nose short. Ohio, stepping way up after easily beating claimers at Del Mar on Aug. 19, showed some of his back-class is still there as the Grade 2-placed veteran lagged back from the start, remained toward the back going to the far turn, came with a nice run in the lane to get third, though he was never really a danger to the top two. Double Touch, winner of the Wickerr at Del Mar on July 22, lagged back while saving ground but never made a move.

Oct. 7

Belmont
Futurity (race 6)

COMMENT: A former major dirt stakes for juveniles has been given a facelift as it’s now a turf sprint giving those who want a crack at the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint a launching pad. Uncle Benny, a smart winner of his debut on dirt at Monmouth on Aug. 24, took to the new footing nicely and may have punched his ticket to Churchill for the inaugural Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint. It’s no surprise he likes turf as he’s by a European Group 1 turf winner. From his outside post he broke inward, bumping with Swamp Rat to get away poorly as he was last, was still last going to the far turn, swung very wide on the turf to commence his run, wider still into the lane and rallied strongly to get the win. Backtohisroots, trying turf for the first time and dropping after running seventh in the Grade 1 Hopeful at Saratoga on Sept. 3, was also bumped at the start to get away poorly, sat a couple lengths in front of the eventual winner as Joyful Heart set a strong pace, made his run with the winner into the lane while to his inside, finished well but just couldn’t quite finish with the winner. Dragic, a filly facing boys and third in a turf mile stakes at Kentucky Downs on Sept. 1 (also against males), stalked the pace, moved to the lead into the lane but was unable to fend off the top two. Fayette Warrior, easy winner over maidens in a turf sprint at Kentucky Downs on Sept. 6, stalked as well, was still a threat into the lane but flattened out. Veterans Beach, easy winner of his turf sprint debut at Saratoga on Aug. 10 and third in the Laurel Futurity (a turf sprint) Sept. 22, sat midpack from the start, moved toward the inside turning for home, pitched out wide into the lane but never mustered a run. Joyful Heart, big winner over maidens in a turf sprint here July 8 and back to sprinting after finishing third in the Grade 3 With Antici-pation at a mile at Saratoga on Aug. 29, veered inward at the start, still had the speed to make the top, held a narrow lead turning for home as Real Money continued to dog him and then gave way readily.

Belmont
Frizette (race 7)

COMMENT: Graceful Princess, a daughter of top sire Tapit and Horse of the Year Havre de Grace and one of the main contenders, scratched due to a fever. Covfefe was a big favorite here off a smashing debut win at Churchill on Sept. 16 but it was Delaware Park stakes winner Jaywalk who took down the top prize. The daughter of Cross Traffic surprisingly proved quickest, going right to the lead. She set a brisk pace under some pressure from Nonna Madeline, saw that gal fall away while Covfefe loomed on the far turn but then easily dispatched with that rival, opening up from there to win handily. Off this the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies surely figures in play. Brucia La Terra, impressive winner of her debut at Saratoga on Aug. 12, was last early after a slow start, bided her time while saving ground, pitched out on the turn for home and finished decently, though she was never a danger to the winner. Cassies Dreamer, claimed for $50,000 out of her smart debut win at Saratoga on Aug. 3 and then a rallying third in the Grade 1 Spinaway there Sept. 1, lagged back, moved closer on the far turn but was then basically one-paced to the line. Covfefe, a $250,000 daughter of Into Mischief and the overwhelming favorite off that aforementioned big debut win, came in at the start, bumping with Nonna Madeline, seemed content to settle in a stalking position in third, moved closer going into the far turn, loomed a threat on the turn but couldn’t sustain her run. This tougher spot, longer trip and new surroundings might have been a case of her biting off a tad too much too soon.

Belmont
Flower Bowl (race 8)

COMMENT: So far this year Fourstar Crook had only found division leader and stablemate Sistercharlie too good for her, and showed she has top-class ability when beating Sistercharlie in the Grade 2 New York on this inner course June 8 before finishing a good second to her in the Grade 1 Beverly D. at Arlington on Aug. 11. Well, with Sistercharlie skipping this to train up to the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf, Fourstar Crook was the star of the show, punching her own ticket to that big event. The 6-year-old daughter of Freud sat last early on a course rated as ‘Good’ as first Tricky Escape set the pace, soon overtaken by Feeling Bossy. Fourstar Crook remained at the back, started to advance on the far turn, came with a strong run in the lane, reeled in then-leader and stablemate Onthemoonagain and drew off to win easily. Onthemoonagain, Group 2-3 placed in France last year and fourth in the Grade 2 Glens Falls at Saratoga on Sept. 1 in her second U.S. start, bided her time in fith off the slow pace, moved up nicely to be just behind pacesetter Feeling Bossy going to the far turn, took over from that foe on the turn, held the lead into the lane but was no match for her powerful stablemate while finishing far clear of the rest. Lady Montdore, winner of her first two U.S. starts, both at Saratoga including the aforementioned Glens Falls, stalked the pace, stayed wide and in the clear on the far turn and into the lane, finished decently but was never really a danger to the top pair. The Breeders’ Cup may not be in the cards for her off this, not only because she lost, but her owner Godolphin already has European powerhouse Wild Illusion pointing to that. Holy Helena, third in the Grade 2 Dance Smartly at her home track Woodbine, was disappointing as she got away slowly, lagged back, was asked for run turning for home but the run never came.

Keeneland
Indian Summer (race 6)

COMMENT: Strike Silver showed ample talent in his first two starts as the $275,000 son of Violence gamely won his debut (beating the talented Nitrous who came back to win his next start and then run third in the Grade 1 Hopeful and was a foe again here) and then finishing a game second to proven graded stakes type Somebeyay in the Grade 3 Sanford, beaten just a neck. He took that proven quality to turf for the first time here and with some strong works in tow took to the footing nicely to post the win. Whereas he used his speed to be involved from the start in those first two outings, he showed versatility here as the change in style here was drastic as he got smacked hard at the start to get away last, remained last to the far turn, pitched out to start a strong move to circle the field, then had to check into the lane when he ran into traffic, pitched wider still, got going again and blasted home to get up in the final stride. The margin was just a neck but he was much the best. This earns him a spot at the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint on Nov. 2. Chelsea Cloisters, a filly facing the boys, set the pace before finishing second in a turf sprint stakes at Saratoga on Aug. 15 and off some good works stalked in third as Mister Banjoman set a solid pace, moved closer into the lane, looked as if she was going to go on to victory only to have Strike Silver surge past at the line. Reward the Miracle, a smart winner in his first try on turf at Belterra Park on Sept. 21, broke inward to get away poorly, bided his time toward the back, swung wide on the far turn to commence his run and finished well. Credit Swap, romping winner of his debut in a turf sprint at Monmouth on Sept. 2, stalked in fourth, seemed poised to make a run into the lane but was one-paced the rest of the way. Nitrous, making his first turf start after a decent third in the Grade 1 Hopeful at Saratoga on Sept. 3, was bumped and bothered significantly at the start to get away poorly, sat back ahead of only the eventual winner and was unable to get involved. He did finish with some energy but it may be back to dirt after this.

Keeneland
Bourbon (race 8)

COMMENT: Concrete Rose scratched to go instead in the Grade 2 Jessamine for 2-year-old fillies here Wednesday. Current, a son of two-time Horse of the Year Curlin, cost $725,000 so you know there are expectations here. He whipped maidens at Belmont on Sept. 8 and handled these new surroundings and tougher foes with aplomb, prevailing and maybe earning a shot at the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf. He lagged well back early as 7-5 favorite War of Will shot out to a clear lead, remained toward the back, moved off the inside on the far turn as he started his run, remained outside and closed resolutely to just get up in the final stride and win a three-horse photo. Henley’s Joy, winner of his first two starts including a stakes on Kentucky Downs turf Sept. 1, stalked the pace, came out for room into the lane, finished well, edged past War of Will and Salvator Mundi but just got nipped by the winner. Salvator Mundi wasn’t far behind Henley’s Joy from the start, did move a bit earlier than that foe on the turn to go after War of Will, kept after that foe in the lane, was getting to him but then couldn’t quite fend off the top two. War of Will, favored off a good second in the Grade 1 Summer at Woodbine to the highly promising but now sidelined Fog of War, went right to a clear lead from his rail slot, set modest fractions while remained clear, came off the inside some into the lane, still had a clear lead to just inside the eighth pole but tired just a bit and was passed late by the top three. Blockbuster, a $450,000 son of Medaglia d’Oro who rallied from far back to win his turf sprint debut at Kentucky Downs on Sept. 13, broke very slowly to be far back from the start, was very wide turning for home and into the lane and unable to get involved.

Keeneland
Spinster (race 9)

COMMENT: Blue Prize may have earned a shot at the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Distaff as she won her third straight and her first U.S. Grade 1. The 5-year-old Argentine-bred, coming off wins in the Grade 2 Fleur de Lis and Grade 3 Locust Grove, both at Churchill (where coincidentally this year’s Breeders’ Cup will be held), bided her time early midpack while staying wide as Southernperfection set a modest pace, came with a nice run on the far turn and into the lane, surged to the lead once straightened away but then raced greenly, ducking in, then shying and ducking out a couple times in the lane, presumably from the shadow of the rail. However, she had enough of a lead to absorb her antics and get the line on top. She’ll have to be supplemented to the Breeders’ Cup but after the race trainer Ignacio Correas said that would happen. Champagne Problems, a game second to ‘Prize beaten just a nose in the Locust Grove, certainly helped flatter that form as she sat midpack inside, just ahead of the eventual winner, had nowhere to go turning for home, was still blocked into the lane when trying to move out for room, causing her to lose position, moved back to the inside, found a lane and finished well. Pacific Wind, coming off a disappointing fifth in the Grade 3 Shuvee at Saratoga, broke poorly but had the speed to get into stalking position in third, moved to the rail into the lane, like the winner shied from the rail (though not as severely) while making a run but couldn’t sustain her bid in the final furlong. Talk Veuve to Me, fourth in the Grade 1 Alabama at Saratoga on Aug. 18, stalked the pace as she faced elders for the first time, loomed a threat turning for home but flattened out. Eskimo Kisses, another 3-year-old facing elders for the first time and favored off a smashing win in the Alabama, lagged well back, as she did at Saratoga, but could make only minimal headway in the lane and was never a factor. This may show that top 3-year-old fillies Monomoy Girl and Midnight Bisou have their work cut out for them when they face elders in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff.

Santa Anita
L. A. Woman (race 5)

COMMENT: Skye Diamonds was no match for Yuvetsi and Anonymity when third, well beaten by those two, in Del Mar’s Grade 3 Rancho Bernardo on Aug. 12 but a return to her favorite track (she’s now posted six of her 10 wins here) and a return to sit-and-finish tactics got her first win of the year and likely sends her to Churchill for the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint, a race in which she ran fourth last year. From her rail slot the daughter of First Dude lagged back as Yuvetsi and Anonymity dueled up front through strong splits, crept closer to those two going to the far turn, came with a run outside those rivals on the turn, was able to wear down a stubborn Anonymity by midstretch, edging clear thereafter. Anonymity, who dueled and ran second in the Rancho Bernardo, again dueled with Yuvetsi, got the better of that foe to her outside turning for home, grabbed the lead, battled back gamely when hooked by the eventual winner to her outside but couldn’t keep pace with that rival in the final furlong in a fine try. Show It N Moe It, facing open graded foes after back-to-back seconds in California-bred stakes, stalked the pace, was no match for the top two but kept to her task to finish third, far clear of the other two. Yuvetsi, game winner of the aforementioned Rancho Bernardo, dueled from the start with Anonymity while inside that rival, continued to battle on the turn but then gave way.